NBA trade rumors: Kings are looking into trading Marvin Bagley
By John Buhler
The Sacramento Kings could be looking to move on from big man Marvin Bagley via trade.
Former No. 2 overall pick Marvin Bagley may not even make it through his third season with the Sacramento Kings. He is reportedly on the trading block heading into the 2021 NBA trade deadline.
According to Sam Amick and Jason Jones of The Athletic, while Sacramento head coach Luke Walton is safe for now, there is a decent chance the Kings’ front office could part ways with their former lottery pick. While Bagley is averaging 14.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and an assist per game in his third season out of Duke, Sacramento has the third-worst record in the Western Conference.
The Sacramento Kings passed on three better players to draft Marvin Bagley
Sacramento has the longest active postseason drought in the entire NBA. While the Kings organization do not appear as dysfunctional as they usually do, this is the same franchise that passed on Luka Doncic and Trae Young inside of the top five to draft Bagley No. 2 overall back in 2018. Even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taken at No. 11 seems to be a pro at this point of his career.
The good news for Bagley is he turns 22-years-old in about a week’s time. He has proven to be a solid starting option for the Kings in his 2.5 years with the team. However, he is always going to be measured up to Doncic and Young for as long as he plays in Sacramento. While his trade value may not be as much as the Kings believe it is, he can be a quality starting player on another NBA roster.
Do not be surprised if larger wholesale changes are made to the Kings by the end of the season.